Lil' Lindsey the Chickenhawk thinks permanent U.S. presence in Afghanistan would be "beneficial"

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Lindsey Graham: Permanent U.S. Presence In Afghanistan Would Be 'Enormously Beneficial'

First Posted: 01- 2-11 11:33 AM | Updated: 01- 2-11 11:59 AM



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/02/lindsey-graham-afghanistan-permanent-presence_n_803318.html

NEW HAVEN -- There was, with really no notable exception, an absence of discussion of the Afghanistan war during the course of the 2010 campaign. But that may have been more a product of the electoral landscape (congressional races often don't lend themselves to foreign policy debates) and strategic timelines (the start date for withdrawal begins in July 2011) than anything else.

And, indeed, during an interview Sunday morning, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) provided some indication that Republicans would push U.S. permanency in Afghanistan in the years ahead, insisting that it would be "enormously beneficial" to show that type of force "in perpetuity."

"I think it would be enormously beneficial to the region as well as Afghanistan," Graham said on NBC's "Meet the Press." "We have had air bases all over the world and a couple of air bases in Afghanistan would allow the Afghan security forces an edge against the Taliban in perpetuity. It would be a signal to Pakistan that the Taliban are never going to come back. In Afghanistan they could change their behavior. It would be a signal to the whole region that Afghanistan is going to be a different place.

"And if the Afghan people want this relationship, they are going to have to earn it. But I hope that they will seek a relationship with the United States so we can have an enduring relationship, economic and militarily and politically, and a couple of air bases in Afghanistan will give us an edge military, give the Afghan security forces an edge militarily to ensure that the country never goes back into the hands of the Taliban, which would be a stabilizing event throughout the whole region."

WATCH: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/02/lindsey-graham-afghanistan-permanent-presence_n_803318.html

[freshwest]

1. Beneficial to who? Explain that!

[shoreline]

2. I wouldn't call Graham...

...a "chickenhawk". I in no way support him, but that title should be reserved for hypocrites like Cheney, Gingrich, and Limbaugh. Unlike them, Graham has actually served this nation in uniform and continues to do so.

[tekisui]

3. I prefer war mongerer. But, he is still a chickenhawk.

From the comfort of his office, he supports sending others to kill and die for profit.

[mudplanet]

6. Isn't he one of the people that spent years and tens of millions of dollars

"investigating" the felonies that Clinton "committed" but then remained completely silent while George Bush trashed the rule of law and the Constitution?

Fuck him.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

8. Lawyer for the National Guard who never set foot out of South Carolina

http://www.awolbush.com/whoserved.html

Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - website used to claim service as a "Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm veteran." A current biographical website makes no such claim. In reality, was a National Guard lawyer who never left South Carolina during the Gulf War.

[Scruffy1]

11. He actually made a quick trip to Iraq.

Had to with JAG work supposedly, but I suspect just the usual political resume puffing-which dems love to do too.

[shoreline]

12. I never said...

...he stormed the beach at Normandy. I said that he has at least been willing to put on a uniform - something a great many of those whose purport to be leaders would never even consider.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

15. They would consider putting on a uniform and sitting in a South Carolina office.

I understand the concept of military service. Some people go into combat and risk their lives on a daily basis. Graham did not. He risked paper cuts.

[Scruffy1]

10. Yeah, behind a desk occasionally.

Or maybe under it for all I know.

[shoreline]

13. Who cares?

When I was in the service they couldn't have found a big enough desk for me to crawl under. The military is all just shooting people and breaking things - it takes a range of talents, and I for one am grateful for each and every person willing to don a uniform...

[liberal N proud]

4. Beneficial to the war hawks and military industry

The makers of bombs, guns, tanks, hummers and other military equipment will make billions and billions which will line the pockets of the congress critters like Graham.

:nuke:

[freshwest]

7. You Got That Right!

[elehhhhna]

5. Elena calls on Graham to move to Afghanistan immediately and live there until further notice.

[Romulox]

9. President Obama senses an opportunity for a "bipartisan" moment, no doubt. nt

[Warren DeMontague]

14. Sure, why not? I mean, it's not like we're supposed to find ways to cut the budget.

Or anything.